Many residents of Washington DC are unhappy to discover that the appearance of the Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House will soon be altered.
On Tuesday night, demonstrators gathered at the plaza, as reported by FOX 5 DC, following a statement made by Mayor Muriel Bowser announcing the transformation of the plaza into part of DC’s America 250 mural project. The project aims to engage students and artists in creating new murals across all eight wards of the city.
“Although the mural served as inspiration for millions and provided comfort during a challenging time for our city, we must now remain focused on urgent matters rather than being distracted by unwarranted external actions by Congress,” said Mayor Bowser in her statement, alluding to a bill introduced recently that proposes changes to the plaza design. “Our primary concern should be addressing the severe consequences of federal budget reductions.”
Some say the democratic mayor succumbed to pressure from both President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.
FILE – The letters at Black Lives Matter Plaza have been repainted after the street was repaved near the White House in Washington, May 13, 2021. (Andrew Harnik, file)
Bowser’s approach to the protests brought her into direct conflict with Trump. The president at the time accused Bowser of losing control of her city and threatened to invoke his power to take over the Metropolitan Police Department. He didn’t follow through, but declared his own multi-agency lockdown that included helicopters flying at low altitudes.
“You never cared about Black Lives Mattering. You painting those words were performative,” Nee Nee Taylor, a founding member of the D.C. Black Lives Matter affiliate, said to Bowser on X.
President Elect Donald Trump, left, and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, right. (Getty)
Bowser’s office did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital inquiry about when the changes to the plaza might take place.Â
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
